Amputee Xolani Luvuno looks to add another Ironman medal to his list of remarkable achievements

Not even a missing limb could prevent Xolani Luvuno from completing this year's Ironman - adding to his Comrades Marathon medal from a year ago.

Xolani running for the Sunbird Striders Club doing a 10km at the Superspar Hercules Skosana 10km in Pretoria. Photo Thulani Mbele. 26/05/2018

For most people, completing one endurance race would be enough for a single lifetime, but not if you’re one Xolani Luvuno.

Luvuno rose into the public consciousness when he completed the 2018 Comrades Marathon in June, almost a decade after losing his leg to cancer in 2009.

On that occasion, he finished just short of a medal placing, but an online petition ensured that he wore silverware on his neck after thousands of compatriots lobbied to have him awarded a medal.

This was after another gruelling test of his endurance, as he entered East London’s edition of Ironman in January 2018, and completing half the contest which consists of 180km cycling and 50km running, along with a swim of almost 4km – all of those on one leg in his case.

In April, he set his sights on going all the way, completing alongside mentor, Hein Venter in the full triathlon.

Watch Xolani Luvuno take part in Ironman in video below

Xolani Luvuno going for his first-ever IRONMAN finish

When the leading female pro slows down to recognize you.Xolani Luvuno was fighting for his life when he lost his right leg to bone cancer in 2009. Today, he’s going for his first-ever IRONMAN finish.

Xolani’s remarkable story

The athete was in his early twenties when he was diagnosed with bone cancer, which resulted in him having his right leg amputated above the knee.

According to the Paul Steyn Foundation, the life-changing procedure saw him delve into a life of drugs, as he spent his days sleeping under a bridge, close to a spot where he spent his day-to-day routine begging.

This was until he met businessman Hein Venter, who roped him into his running club where he found a new lease of life, eventually completing the Comrades, and now with his sights on the Ironman.